Just a quick doodle I did in class the other day. The skeletons of a pony mare and stallion, based on my headcanon of the equine in the MLP universe. The ones on the very ends on the right are simply "templates" with cloven hooves and a lion-like tail, because every breed can have these characteristics. It isn't exclusive to the unicorns, although it's more common in them than other breeds.

Earth ponies are generally the larger of the breeds, while the pegasi are generally the smallest. Obviously, there are exceptions to the average with each breed, though. And before anyone asks, yes, they do have fangs. In my headcanon, the equine are omnivorous, but a lot of them still keep a relatively vegetarian diet with a few meats here and there. And yes, they do keep livestock (their livestock would be a bit different from ours, since... you know, cows are sentient beings), but that's another story for another time.

This is basically just me using the same skeleton sketch and erasing and adding things to it. Because I'm lazy like that. Also, I was using my phone to google a reference, but you'll have to forgive me if some of it looks wonky; I wasn't going for total and absolute accuracy (or... you know. As accurate as you can get with fantasy ponies). Just a little fun, is all. c:

I'll draw the alicorn skeleton after I finish up on a school project and a couple of commissions; they're still pony, but as I've said several times before in previous deviations, they're built slightly differently.

But yeah. Will I do a muscle study of them? Probably. Probably not. It's whatever I feel like at the given time. But, I did draw this for a reason; it's because I have a question to ask you guys.

For those of you who actually read my journals when I update them, I've recently spoken about working on getting to a few Cons fro next year, specifically Bronycon. Among some of the things I'm thinking about crafting for said con is an AU artbook of MLP. As in, an artbook filled with my headcanon/personal interpretation on how the MLP universe works and such. A world building book, if you will. If I do end up doing something like this, it would possibly include:

-Anatomy concepts of the ponies/equine based on my style specifically (maybe comparisons to real horse anatomy too)-The very basic biological workings of the ponies. As in, their typical diet, and how the cutie mark works, along with a few other things-Size charts in comparison to the average human height-The specifics of each individual pony breed and what makes them unique from one another (for example, a unicorn without its magic DOES NOT make it a horned Earth Pony at all.)-The existence of Alicorns and Winged Unicorns, and what separates the two of them from one another-The basic workings of the Equestrian military, touching on technology, types of armor, branches, factions, and alliances with other nations of this universe-Studies on notable landmarks of Equestria, such as Canterlot, Everfree Forest, Ponyville, and maybe somewhere like Las Pegasus or something.

That's awesome. Your art is very beautiful. I love the way you draw the ponies. I was actually wondering if I could use your style for a few personal drawings. They would not be posted or anything. I just like the way you draw and wanted to try it.

Very cool, I absolutely love your designs I do have one question though, how do you think Unicorns would walk with such long tails. As beautiful and graceful as the tails are, I'm having a hard time imagining how they'd walk with them, without them getting in the way. Would it be like a cat or something else I can't quite picture them just dragging them across the ground, so it makes me wonder I'm also kinda curious what your idea's on why Unicorns have tails like that would be. I mean Pegasi having tail-feathers makes sense, but why those long lion-like tails are more common to Unicorns, well their would have to be a reason for that.

Unicorns typically carry their tails with a curve to them so the hair at the end doesn't drag too much. Whether or not the pony's hair drags depends on the individual, however, as in whether or not they care if the hair of their tail drags. Those with a leonine tail typically have strong and more flexible tails, so carrying them in such a way is second-nature to them.

As for the tail in general, the classic representation of a unicorn is with a leonine tail and cloven hooves. It's simply features some unicorns have, however not all unicorns obtain said features, nor are these features exclusive to just the unicorn breed. Any breed can get them, they're simply more common in the unicorn.

I absolutely love this, and your attention to detail. I also love your canon. Though I do have a question: Would it be alright if I used this and some of your other pictures as study references? I'm just getting into art, and I love the more accurate pony style like this, and your one of the only artists that does.

I don't mind, so long as you credit me if you reference heavily. That said, I think it'd probably help you more if you actually looked toward the actual anatomy of a real horse, and went from there. At least with the references of a real horse you're getting the full picture of how they move and are structured, and from there you just play with how you want to mix the MLP style with a real horse's anatomy and such.

Thank you very much! And I definitely will! Especially with the picture of my Saddle Arabian OC since sadly there is so little art with them, and they have so many artistic and world building possibilities. I actually have an entire head canon of their culture. And thank you for replying so quickly!

Winged Unicorns? What about Horned Pegasi? Since, I just have this random thought floatin' around my head in the pony part of my brain that, since, the way I think of my characters mother is a Unicorn, and most of her family is unicorns, just like her father's side, (but somehow her father was an earth pony from his mother) but my character got wings from you know, the small percent of Pegasi genes in her father and mothers blood, but since most of their family was unicorn, she got a small, almost unnoticeable horn under her bangs, that is, in my mind, probably maybe half and inch, a little over that, from all the Unicorn genes in her family... But yea..... So basically my question is: Could there also be Horned Pegasi?Oh Celestia, rants.

Sure. Just like there could be horned earth ponies, or winged earth ponies. What determines what they are is what part is developed more; a winged unicorn is gonna have a fully developed horn with small, underdeveloped wings; it's rare for one to be able to fly. A horned pegasus, on the otherhand, has fully developed wings, but a small, underdeveloped horn.

Same thing with Earth ponies; they'd either have a tiny horn or small, flightless wings.

They aren't a separate species to me, if that's what you're asking. They are still pegasi, just with bat wings, and are very common in Equestria. Getting batwings is simply a recessive trait instead of the dominant birdwings trait.

Amazing Anatomy! And lovely work! ^^ But one question. What gave you the brilliant idea of giving Unicorns skinny tail then hair of a horse? And love the idea of putting feathers above the rump for Pegasi.

The classical unicorn has a lion-like tail and cloven hooves. So I incorporated that into the ponies, but not just unicorns; all breed can obtain both or one or none of the characteristics, it's simply more common in unicorns.

It is possible for a unicorn to have a curved horn, but it's uncommon. If they do end up having one, however, the curve isn't nearly as noticeable as an Alicorn's, specifically, a naturally born one (Twilight's a special case). And if it happens, it isn't through anything bad or nothing; it's mostly just a harmless mutation to the horn's bone structure that gives it its curved appearance.

What is the rib cage covering on the pegasi bodies? I know it has to do with wing movement, but I can't figure it out. I love this reference though! I'll probably end up using this style for my own fun now and again, crediting you of course.

Do you think Ponies in MLP eat grass?I think they can but I don't think they want to, at least not from the ground. My assumption is since they are sentient, they prefer to eat food in a more civilized fashion.